02 Jun 2025
Denpasar, June 2, 2025 – I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport - Bali officially welcomed the inaugural Vietnam Airlines flight on its direct route connecting Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and Denpasar. The resumption of this route is expected to further enhance Bali’s air connectivity and strengthen relations between Indonesia and Vietnam.
Acting General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Wahyudi, warmly welcomed the reopening of the Ho Chi Minh City - Denpasar round-trip service. “After being suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam Airlines is now resuming operations at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. The opening of the Ho Chi Minh City – Denpasar route not only enriches destination options for travelers but also reflects the confidence of international airlines in Bali’s continuously growing tourism potential,” he said.
Vietnam Airlines’ inaugural flight, VN641, landed at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport on Sunday (June 1) at 3:01 PM WITA, carrying 154 passengers. The aircraft then departed back to Ho Chi Minh City at 4:54 PM WITA under flight number VN640, transporting 119 passengers.
The airline will operate the Ho Chi Minh City – Denpasar – Ho Chi Minh City route using an Airbus A321 aircraft, with scheduled services four times per week on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Starting in July 2025, the frequency is planned to increase to seven flights per week.
Wahyudi added that the new route aligns with PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia’s commitment to continuously improve air connectivity and provide the best services for airport users. “We hope this service will increase tourist arrivals from Vietnam to Bali while also opening broader opportunities for business and cultural exchanges between the two countries,” he explained.
Previously, flights between Vietnam and Bali were served by VietJet Air on the Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi routes. Throughout January - April 2025, Vietnam routes recorded 151,903 passengers, with an average of 1,200 passengers per day. In the same period, arrivals of Vietnamese nationals at Ngurah Rai International Airport reached 6,724 people.
With the resumption of Vietnam Airlines, the list of carriers serving flights to Bali continues to expand. Currently, the airport is served by 52 airlines, including 46 international carriers.
“The return of Vietnam Airlines undoubtedly enhances passenger services at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, offering more travel options to a variety of destinations. We continue to coordinate with various stakeholders to further expand both domestic and international routes and flight frequencies at the airport,” Wahyudi concluded.
